Ford Fusion - ECM Coil Drivers Up In Smoke

[@SouthMainAuto]

*PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT* - If you are watching this video on 4/7/24 or 4/8/24 and you don't fall asleep before the end screen and you see part II is listed as "Members Only." *DO NOT PANIC* Do not send me nasty emails, don't unsubscribe, don't tell me I am an asshole or a sellout in the comments and *DO NOT CALL MY SHOP* to tell me you can't watch it. The part II will be posted on the 9th at 6am just like *I ALWAYS DO.* The reason it says members only is because there are some folks that support our KZbin channel by becoming a "KZbin Member" and it gives them early access to all videos I put out. Take a breath, slow down, everything is gonna be OK. Thanks for watching! -Eric O.

[@davyarthurs]

Where’s part 2?😝🤣

[@lvl10cooking]

lol people actually call your shop for that?

[@Sicktrickintuner]

I’m definitely watching this on 47/24…..

[@abw121]

If all goes well, most will be blind on Tuesday after looking into the eclipse on Monday? So part two will be for naught?

[@masseymm]

"call the shop"...seriously, over a YT video lol

[@garryautomotive]

4 years of college, graduating as a master ASE cert mechanic. The Instructors regularly play your videos in their presentations for all the students. I, now happily have my own mobile auto repair business, and continue to watch all of your videos in my free time. My favorites are the electrical diagnostics. Amazing how much you know, how well you explain, and how great your videos are. Your nickname at my college is “South Main Wizard”. LOL. Anyway, everyone loves what you do, keep it up! We appreciate it.

[@MrRunner]

Mr O. It has been my privilege to employ and work beside some incredible technicians over 40 years. The ones who were the best ALWAYS suspected themselves when fault finding, consistently checking input/outputs etc. and being totally transparent when explaining themselves. Just like you, so don't be too hard on yourself as you have completed a first rate investigation. You also smiled the whole time.

[@bartscave]

I don’t know how you find the time to run a business, work the shop, AND put out your videos but I sure appreciate them. Thank you!

[@ua7pyro591]

His wife does all the paperwork and invoicing, that's half the job! 😂

[@bp.8334]

A guy has a million dollars in test equipment and proves the trouble with a light bulb. Just remember folks, it’s the tech, not the test box. Great job.

[@mph5896]

Test light is the number 1 electrical diag tool

[@davidcraven277]

As a tech the old school tests still work your best tool is you eyes and ears it's called kiss keep it simple stupid to many techs first thing get out the scope and use it for everything

[@Rocksoup77]

Just remember...if he can do it, you can do it.

[@OtherSarah2]

it's not the test gear. it's the knowledge on what the results mean.

[@lvsqcsl]

Years ago, Eric, Ivan and Paul "Scanner" Danner attended an "Eric-the-Car-Guy" meetup. They travelled in Paul's motorhome and talked about the logistics of going to the meetup from the motorhome. Ivan speaks up and says they have about 100 test lights between them. Priceless.

[@tomoakhill8825]

The best reason to watch an SMA video is the last spoken sentence, "Remember viewers, if I can do it, you can do it." This always comes right after we have watched a Grand Master Mechanic perform an act of Super Genius. Hearing this feels to me, like watching the interviews after an NBA Championship game, and Seth Curry says, "Remember viewers, if I can do it, you can do it." Yeah. Right. This SMA video, like many SMA videos, features a car that has been worked on by another professional mechanic, who, finding themselves stumped, sends the car to Eric O, while saying, "Remember viewers, if I can't do it, send it to Eric O."

[@jamescardwell3254]

Your ability to find wiring issues is completely off the charts. You make it look easy, and it definitely is not an easy task in any form. It's a real pleasure to watch you troubleshoot and find issues.

[@jws3925]

"It is well with my soul" One of my favorite songs. Thanks for a flashback I will look forward to Keith's video.

[@MosinMan76254]

Amen!

[@eloyoquendo5937]

Thanks for fixing my car, Eric. It's going on the road tomorrow!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Glad to help and glad it turned out good for you in the end!

[@agger838]

When were the spark plugs replaced?

[@kentscoffey]

I'm an electrical contractor. Troubleshooting is my game. With my tool belt, battery drill and voltage/continuity tester I can find 99% of any home or commercial problem. One of the first questions I ask is, "Has any electrical work been done lately?". Many problems start when someone without experience try to install or fix something. Have a great doy.

[@stu8575]

Had me saying "Ruh Roh" for a minute, when I saw the smoke coming off the bulb! 😲 Great job on the diagnostics!

[@rickcinoakville4886]

The fact you took this on after seeing all the previous amateur troubleshooting, is a testament to your character and skill level, Cheers

[@robertkeaney7047]

Coffee, Eric O., and wires. What more does anyone need?! BRILLIANT!

[@Kntryhart]

Mrs. O!

[@joerideout9822]

that’s funny cause ghat how I started my day this morning, coffee and auto diag lol😂

[@mdb831]

My pipe and an English blend tobacco.

[@KSMike1]

I’m happy to see the “lean & stare” diagnostic technique is used even by the best mechanics.

[@vanbraxton8422]

From the day I started watching your videos,one thing about you I love is your Honesty about mistakes u make or could have made, because we all learn from you as to what can happen to us, AMEN😅

[@025MikeMiller]

Eric is one smart dude! I'm an electrical engineer who also happens to work on my own cars. I have learned a ton from Eric.

[@billf7545]

Eric, this one brings back memories when I worked at a dealership. When diagnosing an ECM that went bad, that the drivers failed I would check the resistance of all the coils in the vehicle. Ignition, solenoids and relays. To make sure they were not shorted or had too low resistance. Thank you for your videos and great work. Have an awesome day!

[@CommomsenseSmith]

I have been watching Eric for many years now. I love these raw diagnostics videos because he starts on a theory and then works the problem and sometimes proves his own theory wrong but gracefully.

[@hansjansen7047]

My thought was right from the get go that the wires were shorting together too but you proved that as wrong. Excellent diagnosis !

[@mikeprociuk988]

I was hoping for a vicarious trip to Wilberts. I always love those.

[@greasebeardsgarage]

Good catch Eric! Something similar happens to NA Miata's. I bought mine as a repo from a bank. Their customer told them it had a blown head gasket and they could take it. First thing I did was check no water in coolant and no coolant in the water. Next I traced it back to one fuel injector that was always on (dumping unburnt fuel into the cat and making large clouds of white smoke which caused former owner to think it was a blown head gasket). Turns out that the capacitors in the old ECM's are known to fail and burst. When they burst, they leak conductive or corrosive chemicals down the board and cause odd behavior depending on where they leaked. I was lucky (my car is a one year only California Emissions NA 1.6 version) and found a used ECM on Ebay. I also had my electrical engineer cousin look at the old ECM. He ended up replacing the blown capacitors and cleaning the traces in the damaged area. Now I have two working ECM's.

[@billjohnson9343]

“Almost gave ya the shocker”….made me spit my beer out.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@TheOnespeedbiker]

"Oh Sweet, even better, this is the fun part of working on stuff after someone else. It's already missing all the bolts". 😂

[@BigBoxDodge2020]

It's cool to see Eric O getting AMPed up at work.

[@johnds6621]

Not sure I totally understand the wire testing part if this video but it was a learn experience can't wait for part 2.

[@letzrockitrite8469]

Nice work considering the multitester verification of the "wiring integrity" ... thorough to the nth degree .... good proof of concept !

[@LMacNeill]

Love, LOVE, **LOVE** this channel! I have *never* watched one of your videos and not learned something. Every single one has taught me *something.* Who'da thunk a computer could fail like this? Looking forward to part 2, and to Keith's video when that gets done.

[@alexandercahoulan6583]

I’ve crystallized my knowledge more and more watching our dear sir Mr. Eric O. Yet I find I’m helping A LOT of co workers. I work at a restaurant and after work I’m in the parking lot looking at multiple cars. All “favors”. No $. It’s getting to me, quite quick, but I like to help people. I think. Lol But ya know.

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Your right about disconnecting the PCM connector and verifying there's no short between the control wires for the primary side of the ign coils. Except for engine fires and accidents that burned wiring, I never saw that! Free tip Sunday! Good one Mr. O!

[@elcheapo5302]

I miss when Keith used to post regular videos. Guy's a genius.

[@kens.3729]

You go from a 1995 Geo Prism to a 2007 Ford Fusion. Word is Out that South Main Auto LLC has a Super Talented Team that consistently Overdelivers. 👍🙏

[@jw4620]

Your thought process continues to be amzing.

[@garyhennessey3621]

Great hymn "It is well with my soul," and the story behind it.

[@OTRAMM]

Just had one of these towed in. Turned the key on to scan for codes and two of the coils popped just sitting there. I was super excited since I had just watched this video and could now play along at home :)

[@PragmaticPragmatic]

"I don't know how I've never made this connection" (28:29) I had to laugh (you didn't the PCM did). I like how concerned you are that your original approach may have lead you astray, shows you are always honing your skills.

[@The_Redkween]

Great diagnosticians make mistakes then check their method and change it if need be to keep from making that same mistake again. The 5 whys. Eric is definitely the man.

[@johnjacobs4625]

That door bell scares the crap out of me,every time! 😂😁😅

[@peterbenson3776]

Gas customer arrived right? Well back in the 50s/ 60s.

[@SuperFastmover]

funnie!

[@mentalmodeled]

It sends my dog in to anxiety tremors.

[@markknights5109]

Bloody right that scares the poo poo out of me. Mrs o gunna have to do sumfin about that, it's not good

[@Sandbag1300]

27:53 brilliant test. Genius problem solver.

[@codo7]

Superb, Mr. Obrochta. It would only have been a booboo if the wires were indeed shorted and you had replaced the computer...that would been the end of your spirit life. One will have gone to the woods in his mind and begun to sing the death song, lest he bravely forge ahead with the 'why' question...a nightmare scenario for a guy like me. The lesson to learn here is to attempt to isolate why the ECM failed...including proving that the wiring harness is intact so did not short it's drivers...hmmm, attempting to discover why a module fails before replacing it means looking for any shorts that could have done it in. Now where have we heard that? Call me knocklehead.

[@jeffhudson1744]

I have to say, you never cease to amaze me with your diagnostic work.

[@garysparks2681]

It's good to remember - you got this car second hand. The mystery could have been induced. Great troubleshooting. Looking forward to Part 2. Thanks

[@Wayne-Jones]

Normally controlled by high power switch called a Mosfet, these can fail open or short circuit. Good job Mr O 👍

[@plankton199]

Thanks Eric for the early morning enjoyment. You are truly a master at your craft.

[@douglash3129]

Very good video Eric! you and everyone watching learned something! I just hope to remember this!

[@joeshmoe8912]

I like to play a game when I watch an SMA video. Its called " What is Josh doing?" Only to know what's going on in the other bay, Lol. Thanks for sharing, Eric. Have learned so much from the " If i can do it, you can do it!", mentality.

[@neiljuedes1661]

We have a 2012 Fusion and it has been an outstanding car. We have 130+ thousand on it. Wouldn’t even look at anything else but we are getting up there in years a it’s like crawling in and out of a go cart being so low to the ground. Even with that we won’t spend the money on the rip off vehicles they have on the lots !

[@JoseSilveira-newhandleforYT]

Excellent diagnostic, Eric! I would bet it's the protection diodes on the driver transistors that shorted to positive, inside the PCM.

[@ryanchenier-poulin8570]

I wish I had your knowledge on car wiring in the moment ❤

[@rediz4rubes]

I always make a bucket of popcorn and wear my South Main Auto T shirt when I tune in for the most recent video. Eric does NOT disappoint!

[@BearMD6571]

Great diagnostic video, as always - very helpful to hear you think, Eric. Thanks for also asking Keith at L1 Auto Diagnostics to make a video about what happens in the black box (computer). That should be very educational!

[@nandor690]

That’s a very familiar pause about 20 minutes in when you say, “Yes this is very useful information” and then pause. Now, what the hell does it exactly mean, it what was going on in my head 🤣🤣🤣

[@tomtke7351]

My experience with OTC is GREAT. I really like their customer support team...

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

It's good to see you enjoying a diagnostic job!!

[@johnjacobs4625]

Wow,a 2008 Ford in the PRNY?....That thing should be in a museum!

[@hba1copqr699]

I think you're in forbs richest Number 1😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ralphwatten2426]

With rocker panels!

[@MassiveGarbage]

Heck. All the ones I see here in Indiana are practically crumbling to pieces. My coworker has one and it's so rotted out it's sagging in the middle.

[@wandameadows5736]

Better than the Fords they make today. That's why people still drive these.

[@b1gsteve251]

It will be after next winter ✌🏼

[@buffystclair9042]

It’s amazing how the old memory bank works , watching your videos and I think you can join the club of people that can say “ I forgot more than you ever knew” or something like that. There is a saying but I don’t remember it exactly, lol. I’ve not seen this issue with Fords PCM coil drivers staying open but I have seen the injector drivers being open on Fords that causes flooded engines and some cases hydro-lock. Retired now so hopefully I won’t ever have to see this….unless on of my kids buy an old Ford

[@chrisstone3939]

Another great electrical debug video showing not only great circuit awareness but good understanding of magic boxes and their pitfalls!

[@joshwilson849]

I’m not sure if I watch these videos for the learning aspect or the comedy. I crack up watching this dude it’s a funny comment here and there 😂😂😂😂

[@4literpowered]

There is a TSB from ford on the 3.0 engines in the Escapes, Fusions, Mariner, and Mazda Tribute, for the coils failing and knocking out the coil driver for that bank in the PCM, and the TSB states to replace all 6 coils, spark plugs, and the PCM.

[@JohnDarwin7]

I made that connection as soon as you got power on both sides of the coil wire. Nice 👍

[@actingtheclown]

enjoy your videos here in Newcastle United Kingdom UK.

[@Grumpyoldman037]

Hey, Eric, don't feel bad about the near miss. I would have got it wrong myself. A marvelous save!

[@zeke1eod]

Awesome job, I can definitely see how that could have been a big boo boo. Stay safe, and God bless

[@andrewsedgwick7299]

Wow well done Eric.

[@charlesporch5516]

Perfectly loved playing in the background. 💪💪💪 Love it

[@johngoodwyn8246]

Fantastic Mr O. Loved that you were excited to solve the puzzle and taking us on a joy ride one of the best i have viewed. Cannot wait for Numero Doz.!

[@gregscott9170]

Oooo, this was a good one!

[@PatrickJMele]

Great to see you wearing your glasses on a more regular basis like I suggested! great you taken care of your eyes Eric

[@scottyakoubian9238]

Impressive. You’re like the Mr. Spock of auto repair.

[@JoseMartinez-tc9pr]

Eric O. breaking out the hymns..it is well because your knowledge has helped me fix my electrical issues.

[@kennethnichols7263]

Man Eric you brought back horror memories of my encounter with my daughter’s Fusion. Same fault with control and power both hot. Found a place that fixed the ECM drivers rather than replacing it. Nice since you don’t need to reprogram the new one.

[@hithereperson8137]

Had this happen to me on a test drive and I had to limp it back on 2 cylinders, holy shit was that a fun drive 😂

[@DavidKing-vb9ux]

Ford doesn’t shutoff primary voltage during primary fault! Genius at work! Tell you who else doesn’t do that every mini split manufacture no, let’s not protect the circuits Iets just short out the control! That way when a service technician goes out to service the mini split and he finds a bad circuit board and he replaces it. The shorted load or sensor takes out the new board genius work.! Great job Eric. I threw enjoy your videos thoroughly enjoy voice to text. Something else would be nice if it worked.

[@jamesanderson4014]

Great diagnosis hope it can run fine. A pain but a solution.

[@wallingj68]

That was quite the roller coaster of steps and results. Great job Ford, turning what should be a simple trouble code into a 40+ minute troubleshooting masterclass. Huzzah!

[@hasletjoe5984]

Pretty sure you can do it, also pretty sure I can't do it! Always a good day with SMA video

[@brianH45]

We've done a couple of these recently. New coils, plugs, and PCM. My friend had his go bad recently too on his Ford Edge.

[@bigdaddymak1439]

Labor Rates Base rate 125 If you watch 150 If you help 175 If you worked on it first 200 If you tell me how to do my job 225 Great work

[@manual6speed]

Thanks!

[@Hey_Its_That_Guy]

Eric: "I went out to my truck and got my glasses.", then proceeds to hang them around his neck and not use them... 🤣

[@hugh007]

Better than leaving them on the seat and breaking them. Ask me.

[@Sonoma_Coast]

He put them on when he looks at the paper diagram.

[@billjohnson2000]

Maybe he can’t see them ….

[@markfowler2066]

Been there done that every day... You just wait it's coming right at you.

[@brucejones2354]

I read your comment before I watched the video, so I was watching for it......yeah.... he did use the glasses.......then hung them around his neck.

[@JackdeDuCoeur]

Nice work

[@sidvis7235]

Very early on in the video you mentioned cyls 1,3,5 as not firing. I meediately drew on my experience during the 70 and eighties. I thought with carburetors those would all feed on the same side of the intake manifold, and consequently also the same side of a carburetor. Had a customer with a '68 Chevy Chevelle 327 come for a second opinion when a chevy garage told him he needed a camshaft because it was only firing on every other cylinder of the firing order. Right away expected carb issues, blew out the idle jet of the offending side, and, voila, no longer neede a cam!

[@andrewfinch3422]

Great video, educational and interesting. Always love Eric’s style 😊

[@xlandros]

Huzzah! For another educational, and entertaining video!

[@donniev8181]

Great day for a South Main Auto mystery video!

[@dB_944]

Great hymn reference, Eric!😊

[@Rocksoup77]

I had an 08 with the 3.0. Had intermittent misfire on cylinder 3 that I could not track down. Good compression, new plugs, coils… the whole bit. The next step for me was the ecm, but with200k, we ended up trading it in. Otherwise great car.

[@langer24106]

I had an 08 with the 3.0 for ten years. I loved that car. Very reliable.

[@Scott-bg4uz]

I had an 08 Milan with 4 cyl. manual trans, best car I ever had!

[@nhzxboi]

Hehe. Brings back memories...the most forward cylinder is #1??? That is usually but, not always true on Ford. The right side front is ALWAYS #1 on Ford. I can only think of one example: Super Duty V8s. 401,477,534. I'm old, so yea, I worked on those back in the day. The left bank is forward of the right on those beasts. As a young mechanic, I was stumped as to why I couldn't one started after a distributor replacement...All I got was nuclear backfires(have fire extinguisher ready). I assumed the most forward cylinder was #1. I was wrong. The most forward cylinder means nothing on Ford engines.

[@MsFireboy2]

Eric I would ohm the suspected coils.

[@chrisforker7487]

Great diagnostic video! Learn something new every video.

[@stephenboyd6378]

The one other way you could verify a PCM internal problem or harness problem is to disconnect the PCM connector that the coils go to and then recheck same problem hard fault, goes away electronic problem.

[@arthurmccarron4379]

Another feather. In your hat. Must be. Magic. How. You. Bring. All your. Experience. To. Pin point. The. Problem. Thanks again

[@ysitrim88]

Great diagnostic video Eric!

[@lovemym16]

I had one of those, 06 SEL V6 ran it to 250k miles with minimal issues. A few coolant leaks from the plastic coolant tubes but 99% normal maintenance. Never had that coil driver issue, like because I changed all the coils on the spark plug schedule.

[@garyalford9394]

Always wondered why people changed coils and plugs on fords at the same time ,usually around 80.000 miles it seems.

[@turbinepower77]

Eric I am very familar with that song "it is well" 👍

[@lmcollins_54]

I always hear other mechanical work in the background. Do you have other mechanics working with you or for you or are you partners in a couple of other shops? Just wondering. You sir, are a dying breed, hard to find mechanics who can actually diagnose mechanical issues, especially electrical problems. Back in 1974, when I attended US Marine Corps, basic automotive mechanics school, the last and final exam or test was called, Field Performance. The instructors took several different military vehicles such as Kaiser Jeeps (M151), Dodge trucks (M880 series), 2 1/2, 5 ton, and 10 ton, variation of civilian and tactical military trucks, various kinds of trailers and the dreaded Gama Goat (M792 6X6 Cargo Vehicle, articulated vehicle). The instructors switched wires and cables, pulled the distributors out and rotated them, put the vehicles out of time, put defective parts on the vehicles, plus more. Our job was to properly diagnose each vehicle using what we were taught and by using test equipment. This exam was a pass or fail and determined whether a student had what it takes to become a basic automotive mechanic or return to another school - vehicle operator! I don’t know what automotive mechanic schools teach students now, but it definitely is not how to properly and effectively diagnose a vehicle with issues.

[@themalewhale59]

Good diagnosis! 😮

[@petenikolic5244]

FET's go bang in mysterious ways

[@daleburris2042]

Great job Eric

[@RM.....]

Working on the antiques lately lol. Nice job